Florian Thauvin has been signed to inject some pace and create a fresh supply
line for strikers Papiss Cisse and Aleksandar Mitrovic

Newcastle United have signed the French winger Florian Thauvin from Marseille as their fifth addition of the summer transfer window.

Thauvin, 22, agreed to a five-year contract, while Marseille took Rémy Cabella on loan for the season from Newcastle with an obligation to make the deal permanent if unspecified conditions are met.

“I have come from France to a really big club and am very happy to be here,” Thauvin, who scored five goals in 36 appearances for Marseille last season, said.

Steve McClaren was assured of significant investment in the squad by Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, when he accepted the job as manager in June after the club were almost relegated.

Transfer window closes in

After opening this season by drawing with Southampton, a 2-0 defeat against Swansea City illustrated the Tyneside club’s need for reinforcements. Thauvin was signed to inject some pace and create a fresh supply line for the strikers Papiss Cisse and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

McClaren said: “Florian is a player the club have been watching for a long time and I am delighted that we have been able to sign him. He is a perfect for this club – someone who is young, with great potential and is one of the best young players in Europe. He is an exciting, creative talent who can score goals and make assists, and we believe he has a very bright future here.”